Perspectives: “Meet the Deacons”

Meet the Deacons: Rev. Becky Guthrie

October 8, 2019 / By Rev. Becky Guthrie / 1 Comment

I have two half-time appointments: First UMC New Hartford and St. Luke’s Hospital, Utica. I have a Masters’ in counseling with a specialty in grief and certified by the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC.org). I am available for my congregants and the community. Many pastors and community members in my area reach out for guidance and support. At First UMC, I am entrusted with …more

Meet the Deacons: Rev. Vivian Ruth Waltz

September 23, 2019 / By Rev. Vivian Ruth Waltz / 1 Comment

I am Deacon Vivian Ruth Waltz, appointed by Bishop Webb to an extension ministry as fulltime Director of the SSJ Sister Karen Klimczak Center for Nonviolence in Buffalo. The mission of the Sister Karen Center is to eliminate violence in ourselves, in our society, and in our world. We work to create a nonviolent community in our thinking, our acting, and our relationships. Our primary training program is the Alternatives …more

Meet the Deacons: Rev. Susan Ranous

September 9, 2019 / By Rev. Susan Ranous

I am Rev. Susan Ranous, a Deacon in Full Connection, called to a ministry of word, service, compassion, and justice, with a specialized ministry of stewardship, church, finance, and clergy tax. My call to ministry utilizes my education and experience as a Certified Public Accountant. I have served various churches as treasurer, bookkeeper, finance chair, and stewardship coordinator over the years. As the current Chair of the Conference Council on …more

Meet the Deacons: Rev. Amy Beth Jones

August 21, 2019 / By Rev. Amy Beth Jones

I work for Family Promise, a national non-profit agency that serves families experiencing homelessness. At Family Promise, our mission is to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response. Family Promise is best known for the emergency shelter program that rotates through houses of worship the community, but we are so much more than an emergency shelter program. We provide prevention and stabilization services to families …more

Meet the Deacons: Introduction

August 5, 2019 / By Rev. Nancy Dibelius, Assistant Director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) / 1 Comment

Did you know that in the United Methodist Church, deacons are ordained? The Upper New York Conference is blessed to have many ordained deacons serving throughout our churches and communities. Over the weeks ahead, we will share stories of deacons who serve in the Upper NY Conference and the unique giftedness to which God has called them in the Meet the UNY Deacons blog series. The history of deacons becoming …more